It looked like the Oshkosh Giants were about to coast to an easy 6-0 victory but the Manitowoc Bandits had other plans in the top on the ninth inning.

It wasn't until Jason Fosler made an over-the-head catch in right field that the Giants clinched a 6-5 victory Tuesday at E.J. Schneider Field in Wisconsin State League baseball action.

"I don't like to see us giving up five runs in the top of the ninth, but as long as you get the 'W,' that's the main thing," Giants field manager Brian Gerl said.

Fosler also helped out on the offensive end, hitting a leadoff home run in the top of the third inning that broke a 0-0 stalemate. On a windless night, the ball sailed well over the top of the left-field wall and awoke the Giants' offense against Bandits pitcher Alex Byrne. Oshkosh was able to score again in the fourth and fifth innings, running its lead out to 3-0.

Oshkosh (8-2) couldn't cash in following the home run despite Brad Demmin lifting a fly to shallow center field that resulted in Pete Berg being tagged out at the plate when he attempted to score from third base.

The Giants didn't need a hit or an error to score in the fifth inning. Berg walked and advanced to second base on a Derek Leighton bunt and then moved to third and home on two wild pitches from Byrne.

That made for three straight innings with Oshkosh runs.

"It's good to see that," Gerl said. "It means everyone's contributing and staying consistent and that's what you want to see out of a baseball team."

Cory Reiland pitched a gem for the Giants until a shaky ninth inning that saw five Bandits (12-4) score. In his first eight innings, Reiland struck out five while allowing no runs.

"He had thrown a lot of pitches," Gerl said. "He was throwing a shutout so I was going to leave him out there to see what he could do with it … I'm happy with his performance, though."

Reiland's game was also helped by solid defense. After surrendering a one-out walk in the top of the seventh, Leighton caught a screamer off the bat of Jake Waddle and gunned down Brock Wetenkamp before he could recover to first base.

"I was throwing mainly fastballs and curve balls," Reiland said. "I don't know why they couldn't hit it."

As for the ninth inning: "They just got a few hits."

The Giants plated crucial runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. Two came on sacrifice flies while the other came on a double error by Wetenkamp. On the play, Wes Munson hit a ground ball to third, where it was bobbled, allowing him to reach first safely. Wetenkamp then whirled and threw to home, but the ball went over the catcher's head, allowing Kyle Kannenberg to score.

Reiland gave up four consecutive hits to the Bandits to start the ninth, and was pulled in favor of Ryan Kuepper.

Four runs came in before Kuepper was able to retire Mike Hall for the final out.

Notes: Fosler was unable to get on base again after his home run … Derek Hiroskey scored in the fourth inning after a walk and a stolen base put him in scoring position … Bandits field manager Jordan Bischel batted ninth and went 0-3 with an RBI

Game Ball: Reiland held the Bandits scoreless for eight innings

Numbers Game: 3 hits allowed by Reiland until he gave up four more in the ninth inning.

Oshkosh 5, Manitowoc 4

Manitowoc (12-4) 000 000 005 — 5 7 3

Oshkosh (8-2) 001 110 03X — 6 8 0

Pitchers — MAN: Alex Byrne (8IP, 4K, 3BB). OSH: Cory Reiland (8IP, 5K, 2BB), Ryan Kuepper (1IP). WP: Reiland. LP: Byrne. SV: Kuepper

Hitters — MAN: Nat Richter 2-4 (2B), Kyle Schroeder 2-4. OSH: Jason Fosler 1-4 (HR), Kyle Kannenberg 2-4

(Reprinted from The Oshkosh Northwestern)